Calendar of events

Tuesday

Pleasant Manor Health and Rehabilitation Center will present Amy Durham of the Alzheimer’s Association at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, as part of its Alzheimer’s support group series.

Pleasant Manor is located at 3650 S. Interstate 35E.

For more information, call (972) 935-0090.

Volunteer opportunities

Nicholas P. Sims Library has volunteer opportunities available this summer for ages 14-adult. A volunteer orientation will be held from 3-4 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, in the library's meeting room.

For more information, call the library at (972) 937-2671.

Friends of Special Olympics

Friends of Special Olympics will meet at 7 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, in conference room 200 at First Baptist Church, 315 N. Rogers, Waxahachie.

Board members will be voted on. New ideas are welcome toward the organization’s program of work.

Mammograms

The Baylor Sammons Mobile Breast Imaging Center will perform screening mammograms from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. Tuesday, May 29, at Palmer Middle School on Farm-to-Market 813 in Palmer. Baylor will file the insurance. To schedule an exam, call (214) 820-1700 or (214) 820-8418.

GED graduation

Contact Sina Taimanao at (903) 875-7464 or 7460 before Wednesday, May 30, to participate in the GED graduation ceremony at Navarro College, set for Friday, June 8. All those who passed their GED during the 2006-2007 school year and reside in Navarro, Ellis, Limestone or Freestone counties are invited to participate in this ceremony.

Seniors and fitness

Alterra Sterling House of Waxahachie and Baylorworx Rehabilitation and Fitness Center will host a senior and fitness expo from 10:30 a.m.-noon Thursday, May 31, at 2250 Brown St., Waxahachie. Family Care of Texas will offer free blood checks, cholesterol screening and refreshments. For more information, call (972) 937-2600.

Relay for Life

The Ellis County Relay for Life will hold its team captain meeting on Thursday, May 31, in the Red Oak Municipal Building, 200 Lakeview Parkway, Red Oak. Captains may register, make changes or turn in donations from 6:30-7 p.m. The general meeting will begin at 7. All team captains for the 2007 Relay are urged to be in attendance. Anyone interested in learning more about Relay is urged to attend. The 11th annual Ellis County Relay for Life is set for June 8-9 at the Maypearl High School football field.

Contact Mary Ruth Mitchell, event co-chair, at (972) 938-8559 for more information about Relay for Life. To learn more about registering a team, contact Suzanne Baty at (972) 351-9558.

Donations accepted

Donations are being accepted for a garage sale to benefit the Gingerbread House children’s advocacy center.

The sale will be held from 7 a.m.-3 p.m. Saturday, June 2, in the Vintage Bank parking lot on Ferris Avenue.

All items, from furniture to clothing to household items, are being accepted. Clothes must be on a hangar.

For item pickup, call (972) 965-2470.

Garage sale

The fifth annual Historic Preston Street Garage Sale in Ennis will be held Friday-Saturday, June 1-2, rain or shine.

Call (972) 875-2696 for more information.

Relay For Life

There will be a garage sale benefiting the American Cancer Society on Saturday, June 2, in the Office Depot parking lot. Any donations will be appreciated.

Contact Perry Estepp at (972) 937-1016 or (972) 938-6748.

Water safety fair

The North Texas Water Safety Coalition will host a free water safety fair from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, June 2, at Lynn Creek Marina on Joe Pool Lake.

Sponsored by various organizations, including the Texas Parks and Wildlife and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the event will feature a sinking boat exercise, boat entry and exit, free boat rides, life jacket fitting, a kids-fish-free tournament and free life jackets for children age 12 and younger while supplies last.

Pancake breakfast fly-in

The annual Mid-Way Regional Airport pancake breakfast fly-in will be held from 8-11 a.m. Saturday, June 2. Breakfast tickets are $5 and children younger than age 8 are free with each paying adult. Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (972) 923-0080 or visit online at www.mid-wayregional.com.

Equine Youth Association

The Ellis County Equine Youth Association will host a youth fund-raiser horse show Saturday, June 2, at Flying Dollar Ranch in Italy. The show starts at 9 a.m. with books and arena opening at 8 a.m.

English, western, halter, speed, leadline and over fences classes will be offered. Prizes sponsored by local businesses will be given throughout the day by drawing of participants.

Call Julie Hinz at (972) 483-7774 for more information or look on the Web at www.elliscountyequine.org.

After Hours Improv workshop

After Hours Improv will host an adult improvisational workshop to includes three Saturday sessions: June 2, 9 and 16. The workshops will be from 9 a.m.-noon at the Waxahachie Chamber of Commerce, 102 YMCA Drive.

Participants must be age 18 or older. The fee is $50.

“Learn the skills, concepts and practice of performing in front of groups and thinking quick on your feet,” a spokesman said.

For more information or to register, call (972) 937-9839 or e-mail info@afterhoursimprov.com.

Scout Night

Special rate tickets are available for Scout Night at the Mesquite Championship Rodeo.

Tickets are available for June 2 and Sept. 29 performances. Gates open at 6:30 p.m., with the rodeo at 8.

To order tickets call Marshall Hervey at (972) 285-8777, ext. 2000, fax (972) 289-2999 or e-mail order to mhervey@mesquiterodeo.com.

Farmers Market

The Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and continues through Oct. 27. The market is located at the south end of the Ellis County Courthouse on Franklin Street between Rogers and College. Vendors have fresh vegetables and fruits, plants, crafts and wares for purchase. Smoothies and other refreshments are also available. Master Gardeners are on site every week to answer agricultural questions.

Paint Historic Waxahachie

Paint Historic Waxahachie will be held Saturday, June 2, around the courthouse square in coordination with the Gingerbread Trail Tour of Homes. Paint Historic Waxahachie is an activity of the Ellis County Art Association. The event is free and spectators are welcome to observe and interact with the artists. A 90-minute “quick draw” competition will be held from 8:30-10 a.m. The artwork produced during the competition will be sold at the live auction at the courthouse immediately after. Proceeds will benefit the Ellis County Art Museum.

For an event schedule and list of artists, call (972) 937-3414, e-mail ecaa@sbcglobal.net or visit online at www.elliscountyart.net.

Arts and crafts

An arts and crafts fair will be held in coordination with the Gingerbread Trail, June 2-3, at Getzendaner Park in Waxahachie.

The arts and crafts fair will run from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. each day, with artisans featuring unique, hand-crafted items for purchase.

Food, music and free parking will be available.

On Saturday, the Waxahachie Jazz Combo will play from 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m., with Pig Ankle to perform from 12:30-2:30 p.m.

On Sunday, Back to Blue will perform from 1:30-3:30 p.m.

Children’s activities will include a single bungee jump, a covered obstacle course, the Mind Winder, pony rides, build-a-bear and games.

The event is sponsored by the Ellis County Museum Inc.

Charmer officer leadership camp

The Cherokee Charmers officers only will have a camp from 8 a.m.-4 p.m. June 6-7 at Waxahachie High School.

GED graduation

GED graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 8, in the Dawson Auditorium at the Navarro College - Corsicana campus.

Bootbackers campaign

The Cherokee Charmers will hold their Bootbacker campaign June 8. The entire team will meet at 10 a.m. in the Waxahachie High School front parking lot.

Relay fund-raiser

The Ellis County Relay for Life is sponsoring a fund-raiser with all proceeds going to the American Cancer Society.

First prize is a $300 Visa gift card. Second prize includes four Texas Ranger baseball tickets with a parking pass. Third prize includes two Stars hockey tickets with a parking pass. Fourth, fifth and sixth prizes include a $100 gift card from Lowes, a $100 gift card from Belk’s and five hours of free limousine service donated by A Luxury Limo 4 U. Seventh prize is an appliance basket from H-E-B which includes a toaster, coffee maker, blender, coffee grinder and slow cooker. Eighth prize is an entertainment basket from Hastings. The basket includes a computer game, board game and gift certificate.

Tickets are $1 and are available from any committee or team member.

This year’s Ellis County Relay for Life will be June 8-9 at Maypearl High School football field.

Contact Mitchell at (972) 938-8559 for more information about this fund-raiser or further information about the Ellis County Relay for Life.

Farmers Market

The Waxahachie Downtown Farmers Market is held every Saturday from 8 a.m.-1 p.m. and continues through Oct. 27. The market is located at the south end of the Ellis County Courthouse on Franklin Street between Rogers and College. Vendors have fresh vegetables and fruits, plants, crafts and wares for purchase. Smoothies and other refreshments are also available. Master Gardeners are on site every week to answer agricultural questions.

Play day

The Wagon Wheel Saddle Club will hold a play day at 1 p.m. Saturday, June 9, with a rain out day scheduled for Saturday, June 30. The cost is $2 per event and all ages are welcome.

The arena is located at 1806 Bear Creek in Cedar Hill.

For more information, visit www.freewebs.com/wagonwheel or call club president James Logan at (972) 223-6119.

Annual pond tour

The North Texas Water Garden Society presents its 16th annual Tour of Ponds, June 9-10. The two-day tour of private residential ponds all across the Metroplex is self-guided. Members have opened their backyards - with 42 ponds on the tour - for the general public to enjoy, ask questions and learn more.

Proceeds from the tour fund the society’s educational fund, which promotes the study and culture of aquatic plants, fish and ponds. The proceeds from last year’s tour were used to build two ponds with stream at two separate elementary schools as a hands-on tool for children to learn about science, biology and the environment.

For more information, visit www.ntwgs.org for a list of vendors who will sell the tour book, “The Modern Water Gardener.”

Caribbean cruise

Reservations are being taken for a February 2008 Caribbean cruise to benefit the Gingerbread House children’s advocacy center. The cruise is sponsored by Blue Knights XXI, a law enforcement motorcycle club. The seven-day trip from Galveston will include stops in Montego Bay, Grand Cayman and Cozumel. The community is invited to participate.

Book the cruise by calling (817) 283-2461 and asking for the Gingerbread House/Blue Knights XXI cruise.

Reading club

The A.H. Meadows Library in Midlothian will host a “Sail Away with Books” reading club for preschool through teens this summer from June 11-Aug. 11. The program will feature reading incentive prizes, guest speakers, free movies, crafts and story times.

For more information, call (972) 775-3417 or visit the library at 923 S. 9th St. in Midlothian.

Red Cross training

American Red Cross - Corsicana Branch will host American Red Cross volunteer training June 11-13 at Fire Station 1 training facility in Midlothian, located at 235 8th St.

The classes are basic classes a new volunteer will need to help a disaster victim in their community. American Red Cross has helped more than 75 families in Ellis County in the last 10 months.

Background checks will be required for all volunteers. All disaster training is free. For more information, contact Shelly Campbell at (903) 874-4551.

GED graduation

GED graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 8, in the Dawson Auditorium at the Navarro College - Corsicana campus.

Christian Women’s Connection

Make reservations by Sunday, June 17, for the Wednesday, June 20, Christian Women’s Connection of Ellis County luncheon.

The “Summer Time Entertaining” luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. at the Colonnade Restaurant located at the Waxahachie Country Club. The speaker for the month is Grace Pryor, who will speak on how circumstance changes with choices.

The cost of the luncheon is $13. Vouchers for nursery are available by asking when making reservations. For reservations, call (972) 923-1881 or (972) 937-9984.

Sign language class

Nicholas P. Sims Library will sponsor a sign language class from 5:30-7:30 p.m. Tuesday, June 19, in the meeting room on the first floor of library. Beginners and experienced signers are invited to attend.

Sharon Brown, who has taught previous classes at the library, will be in charge of this class.

The class is for adults ages 18 and older. For more information or to sign up, call (972) 937-2671 or stop by the main desk.

GED graduation

GED graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 8, in the Dawson Auditorium at the Navarro College - Corsicana campus.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, June 28, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283.

Venus Homecoming

The annual Venus Homecoming and Country Fair will be held from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. Saturday, June 30, on the square.

Prizes will be awarded in the car and tractor show at 2 p.m., with cook-off prizes awarded at 5 p.m. in five categories.

The parade is at 10 a.m., with prizes awarded afterward.

The event is sponsored by the Greater Venus Chamber of Commerce.

GED graduation

GED graduation ceremony will be held Friday, June 8, in the Dawson Auditorium at the Navarro College - Corsicana campus.

Charmer camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a choreography camp with American Dance Drill Team from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 30-Aug. 2 in Williams Gymnasium at Waxahachie High School. Officers participate from 8 a.m.-noon, with the entire team from 1-5 p.m. July 30. Everyone participates from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. July 31-Aug. 2.

Charmer home camp

The Cherokee Charmers will hold a home camp from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. Aug. 6-9 in the little gym at Waxahachie High School. Team photographs will be taken Aug. 10.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 30, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283.

Waxahachie Bridal Extravaganza

The fourth annual Waxahachie Bridal Extravaganza will be held from noon-5 p.m. Sunday, Sept. 23. Vendor applications are now being accepted. For more information, call April Ortiz or Jeanee Smiles at (972) 938-3434.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 1, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283.

Blood drive

The Waxahachie H-E-B will host a blood drive with Carter BloodCare from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 27, in the store parking lot. First-time donors must have a photo ID. For more information, call Linda Waisath at (972) 923-2283.

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